Aerial shark patrols along the state’s coastline will be extended until the June long weekend – the longest patrol period in South Australian history.
The long patrol season – which was brought forward to early November and will run until Monday 9 June – comes as Surf Life Saving SA rolls out trauma kits and shark sighting boards in regional communities as part of a State Government shark mitigation package.
Volunteer surf lifesavers also provided critical assistance at Port Noarlunga after an attack on Thursday, including a jet rescue boat and drone response.
Shark surveillance aircraft will continue to monitor beaches on weekends from North Haven to Rapid Bay, and on the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula between Waitpinga Beach, east of Victor Harbor, and the Murray Mouth.
The two-week extension of fixed-wing shark patrols – which were due to end on Sunday 25 May – will support community safety, with fine conditions forecast leading up to the long weekend.
It is the second extension this season amid sustained aquatic activity and shark sightings in populated areas, including at southern beaches.
More than 450 flights have been conducted and around 1200 hours flown since November.
The additional aerial patrols follow risk assessments done in consultation with SAPOL, PIRSA and the SES.
The fixed-wing aircraft is fitted with a siren to warn beachgoers when a shark is sighted and is marked with the words SHARK PATROL in large lettering.
The aircraft siren has been activated more than 90 times this season, indicating that there were either people in the water or on the beach in the vicinity of a sighting.
Further support for regional coastal areas through the Government’s $500,000 shark mitigation package is also being delivered, with the first trauma kits – specially designed for treating shark bites or similar injuries in aquatic environments – to be installed at Streaky Bay and Elliston after coastal risk assessments were completed.
A new shark sighting community board has been installed at Granites Beach, raising awareness of potential risks and enabling the public to report a sighting via the board’s QR code.
Surf Life Saving SA CEO Damien Marangon said: "Surf Life Saving SA is continuing to roll out the shark mitigation package for regional South Australia, announced in partnership with the State Government late last year."
"In the coming days, we will be announcing the installation of new shark signage in regional locations as well as the first delivery of trauma kits – all important lifesaving resources and tailored solutions we believe will make a real difference, both for locals and visitors, in these remote coastal communities," Mr Marangon said.
"We’re also proactively and positively working with State Government on future safety measures to help keep swimmers safe along our metropolitan coastline."
